de ferranti



(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. Z. DE PERRANTI.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE.

No. 341,097. Patented May 4, 1886.

WITNESSES INVENTOR 45'. Z aZeFerr'anii I QI /2 g g; I

7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented May 4, 1886.

INVENTOR I A). Z. dejkrrmza,

(No Model.)

S. Z. DE PBRRANTI.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE.

i M S WITNESSES 4.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3. 8. Z. DE PERRANTI.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE.

No. 341,097. Patented May 4, 1886.

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fl M By 7113' Attorneys N. PEI Ens. Phalmuu rmr. Wampum D.C.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

S. Z. DE FERRANTI.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE. N0. 341,097. Patented May 4, 1886.

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(No Model.)

WITNESSES A-QV u/ 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

S. Z. DE PBRRANTI.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE.

Patented May 4, 1886. v

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By Attorneys AINVENTIOR J. Z. czkfkrram,

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UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE.

No. 341,097. Patented May 4, 1886.

INVENTOR 5. Z. dejrr'am', By his flttorneys (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

S. Z. DE PERRANTI.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINE.

No. 341,097. Patented May 4, 1886.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR $.21 dalfiarrazza, Byfib s'uflflor 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FEERANTI, OF \VEST KENSINGTON, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND.

UNIPOLAR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,097, dated May 4-, 1886.

Application filed Ocioberfi, 1884. Serial No. 144,809.

(No model.)

Patented in England December-29, 1883, No. 5,926.

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at No. 5 Stan wick Road, Vest Kensington, in the county of Middlesex, England, electrician, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dynamo-Electric Machines, (for which I have received Letters Patent in Great Britain No. 5,926, dated De cember 29, 1883,) of which the iollowing is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a dynamo-electric machine by which a continuous current may be produced without the use of a commutator. For thispurpose I em ploy a metallic disk of a good conducting nonmagnetic mctalsuch as copper-revolved between two llxed annular poles of an electro-magnct, the pole on one side of the disk being a north pole and on the opposite a south pole. Each annular pole-piece of the magnet I surrouml by insulated conductingeoils, through which the magnetizing current is passed, and I connect the outermost ends of the magnetpoles, so as to form a horse shoe-magnet by projections from them, which are made to meet together outside the outer circumierenec oi' the revolving disk. \Vhen the disk revolved, an electric current is induced in it radially to or from its periphery andhaxis. To carry oil the current from the periphery, 1 make Contact between the outer edge of the disk and a fixed metallic casing passing around it by means of a film of mercury interposed between them and carry off the current from the metallic casing. A small quantity of mercury or other conducting-fluid is supplied to the interior of the casing and distributes itsell around the whole of the casings inner circumference whenever the disk is revolved; or in place of this arrangement rubbers lubricated with mercury may be employed. From the axis the current can Similarly be conveyed away by bosses 0n the axis surrounded by fixed metallic casings, and with mercury or other conductingliquid supplied to the intervening space, or it might be carried off from the axis by rubbers bearing upon it, as in other dynamo-machines. All parts of the machine with which the mercury used is liable to come into contact I coat, by cleetrodeposition or otherwise, with iron, or it might be other metal not affected by mercury. In order to be able at all times to ascertain the height of the mercury in the annular chamber surrounding the outer circumference of the disk, I employ pairs of insulated wires, the several pairs opening into the chamber at different distances from the axis. The ends of the wires are left bare. \Vhen there is sufficient mercury in the chamber to make an electrical connection between the ends of the wires of any one or other of the pairs, an electric current may pass from one wire to the other of the pair, and the passing of the current may be indicated on a galvanometer or bell or other recording instrument; or single wires connected to galvanometcrs might be used, and the circuit completed through the body of the machine.

Machines constructed as above described may be used not only for the production of a continuous electric current, but also for obtaining motive power from such a current; or, if a continuous current be passed radially through the disk and the disk be revolved, a current may be carried off from the coils of the electro-magnets. In this case the magnet pole pieces or cores would not be required.

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section, Fig. 2 an end view, of one form of a machine constructed as above described. Fig. 8 is a section showing insulated pairs of wires led through the framing of the machine to be passed into the metallic casing which surrounds the disk for indicating the height of mercury in the casing. The section is on a larger scale than Fig. 1, and is taken on a line at right angles to that section. Fig. 4: shows on a small scale the way in which the ends of the insulated wires are led into the metallic casing. Figs. 5 and 6 are sections showing small passages led away from the metallic casing and provided with taps at their ends for indicating the height olthe mercury in the casing. 5

Fig. 7 is asection showing a modification of the machine. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 9 an end View, of another modified form of the machine. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section, and Fl 11. an end view, of another modicylinder, A, is in one piece with the rear end.

of the magnet-core A. The other cylinder, B, is in one piece with the rear end ofthe magnet-core B. The inner ends of the'cylinders A B are bolted by bolts A Around the exterior of each magnet-core is a coil, G, of an insulated conductor. Each coil is preferably formed of a conducting-strip set edgewise-that is, the broader sides of succeeding coils are toward one anotherbut it might be of wire or strips of other form.

D is the disk,'preferably of copper electroplated with iron.

E is the metallic easing surrounding the circumference of the disk. This casing .is insulated on its exterior, and it is made to fit somewhat closely to the disk at its circumference, and also at its sides near to the circumference. Suflicient mercury is supplied to the casing not only to fill the space between the circumference of the disk and the casing at the time when the disk is rotated, but also to fill the spaces between the sides of the casing and the outermost parts of the sides of the disk. This is ofimportancc, because ifthe sides of the casing do not fit somewhat closely to the sides of the disk the mercury would not be carried all round the inner circumference of the casing at the time when the disk is rotated.

F is the axis which carries the disk. It is mounted .in bearings F, as shown in Fig. .l.

. holdbetween them the boss of the disk D. The

bosses G also lie in chambers H, partly filled with mercury, so that the axis is put into electrical connection with the blocks A and B, which form the body of the machine.

I I are passages by which mercury may be poured from small cisterns or funnels I 1 into the chambers H.

K is a pipe by which mercury may be supplied to the insulated casing E.

F are passages by which lubricating-oil may be supplied to the bearings from oil-cups Ft (See Fig. 2.)

The exciting-current to be passed through the two coils C may be obtained by putting the inner end of each coil in electrical communication with the insulated casing E, and the outer end of each coil in electrical communication with the blocks A and B, respectively,

or the exciting-current might be conveyed to the coils through insulated conductors led out through the blocks A and B, in the manner shown at (3*, Fig. 1.

One set of terminals for leading off the cur rent from the machine may be at any desired points on the exterior of the blocks A and B. The other set of terminals are carried by insulated blocks E, (see Fig. 2,) which; by insulated rods E", are in electrical connection with the inner insulated casing, E.

J J in Fig. 2 are gage-glasses by which the height of mercury in the inner easing, E, can be ascertained when the machine is standing. They are closed at their upper ends by screwcaps. Any excess of mercury can be drawn oil from the bottom of the gage, while, if more mercury is requiredjt can be supplied through the pipe K. (See Fig. 1.)-

At Fig. 3 I have shown how insulated pairs of wires J J may be led to the interior of the metal casing E. The two wires in each pair are side by side on the same level. They might either be permanently in connection with an electrical tell-tale, so that the height of the mercury shall at all times be indicated,

or they might only be coupled to the tell-tale at times when it is desired to know the mercury levelas, for example, just before starting the machine.

At Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown how theheight of mercury .in the chamber E can be ascertained at any time by opening a tap, E", at the end of one or other of a number of passages leading from the inner casing. These passages should be formed through the insulated conducting-rods, which pass from the inner easing, E, to the insulated terminal blocks E at'the exterior of the blocks A B. In place of the spaces occupied by the coils 0 being cylindrical they might be of a tapering form, as shown at Fig. 7.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a longitudinal section and end view of a machine similar to the one shown at Figs. 1 and 2, except that the rear ends of the magnet-coresA andB are connected only to a bed-plate in place of to a cylinder passing all around them. also formed with a T-shaped head around its circumference, and this head is surrounded by a casing of a corresponding form. The parts shown in these figures are lettered with the same letters of reference as in Fig. 1, so that it is unnecessary to further describe them.

Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal section, and Fig. 11 an end view of another modified form. In this case the iron pole-pieces are done away with and the outer circumference of the disk D revolves between two insulated conductingcoils, B and 0, through which a current is made to pass in the same direction. The conducting-coils are each inclosed in casings of non-magnetic metal. The outer circumference of the disk enters a trough-recess between the casings to allow of a mercury-contact being made between them and the disk.

Fig. 12 shows a longitudinal section of another form of the machine, and Fig. 13 an end View. In this form of machine, B and .G are IIO The disk D is two coils of insulated conducting material, through which a current is passed in opposite directions. E E are metallic troughs for holding mercury. G (r is a metallic drum, the ends of which are flanged outward and made to enter the troughs E. lhe drum G is carried by an axis, F, by which it can be rotated or to which it can give a revolving motion. hen a current is passed in opposite directions through the two coils and the drum is rotated, a current can be led off from the two troughs E; or, if a current were passed longitudinally through the drum and the axis rotated, a current could be led off from the two coils B and C.

In the several forms of dynamo-electrical machines hereinbefore described the axis is shown to be horizontal; but it is not at all essential that it should be so. It might in all the several forms be placed equally well in a vertical position. To illustrate this, I have at Figs. 14 and 15 shown a vertical sectionand side elevation of a machine similar to the machine shown at Figs. 1 and 2, but with the axis placed vertically, instead of horizontally. The same letters of reference are used as in Figs. 1 and 2.

Having now described the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state that I am aware that in dynamo-electric machines for producing a continuous electric current it has before been proposed to employ a revolving disk of iron magnetized by the passage of an electric current through a fixed coil of an insulated conductor surrounding its circumference, and that it has also been proposed to incase such disk and coil within a mass of iron, which becomes magnetized by reason of the magnetization of the disk, and that it has also been proposed to carry off the radial electric current set up in the disk when rotated by means of contact mechanism applied to its axis and to its circumference. My dynamomachiues differ essentially from machines constructed in this manner.

I am aware o l the Leroux machine, described in Du Noncel, Applications dElectricit, edition 1875;, Vol. 2, page 5456, and do not claim any subjectmatter therein disclosed.

What I claim .is

1. In the construction of dynamo-electric machines, the combination of (a) two cylin drical magnet pole-pieces set face to face and with an insulated conducting-coil wound around the circumference of each pole-piece, so that one shall be north the other south when an electric current is passed through the coils; (b) a disk of copper or other such like good conducting and non-magnetic metal mounted upon an axis concentric with the pole-pieces, so that it may be revolved between them, and (0) means for leading off the radial current set up in the disk from its axis and its circumference.

2. In the construction of dynamo-electric machines, the combination of (a) two eylindrical magnet pole-pieces set face to face and with an insulated conductingcoil wound around the circumference of each pole-piece, so that one shall be north the other south when an electric current is passed through the coils, and with the outermost ends of the two cylindrical polepieces connected the one to the other, so as to form them into a horseshoe magnet; (b) a disk of copper or other such like good conducting and non-magnetic metal mounted upon an axis concentric with the pole-pieces, so that it may be revolved be tween them, and (0) means for leading off the radial current set up in the disk from its axis and its circumference.

3. In the construction of dynamo-electric machines, the combination of (a) two cylindrical magnetpolepieces set face to face and wound with an insulated conducting-coil; (b) a disk of copper or other such like good con ducting and non-magnetic metal mounted on an axis concentric with the pole-pieces, so that it may be revolved between them; (a) means for leading off the radial current set up in the disk from its axis and its circumference and for conducting the said current through the coil of the magnet pole-pieces.

4. The combination of the revolving metallic disk, the circular metallic trough or casing surrounding it and containing mercury or other liquid, and means for indicating the height of the liquid in the trough or casing, substa11- tially as described.

SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE l ERRAN'll.

\Vitnesses:

G. \V. WnsrLEY, Gno. J. B. FRANKLIN, Both of 17 Graccchurch Street, London. 

